Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) announced the awarding of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant for Lakewood Airport.

The $84,000 grant will be used to design a new taxiway intended to increase safety.

The project comes in the wake of a 2013 FAA grant for $220,500 used for the removal of obstructions both on and off airport property that interfered with runway 6/24.

The new taxiway will be at the end of runway 24.

“This federal funding slated for Lakewood Airport operations will fund the planning and design of a reconfigured taxiing layout that allow planes to more safely use the facility, which serves as an important compliment to the Lakewood Office Industrial Park,” Smith said.

The functions of the airport helps foster area economic activity. Located in the heart of Lakewood Township’s Office Industrial Park, the airport is less than 40 minutes flying time from numerous East Coast metropolitan international airports.

“The new taxiway runway improvements would allow safer and more efficient operations at the Lakewood Airport,” said Smith. Future plans include a hangar project and other enhancements that will make the airport more attractive for retaining pilots and aircraft owners there, and keeping the facility business-friendly for airport users.

The FAA will oversee the project, which is now in its first phase of design. Lakewood Airport is a general aviation facility.

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